Music Leader, 64, Dies While Moving Piano

One of Lake County's best-known church music leaders, David McMurtrey, 64, died unexpectedly Tuesday afternoon while helping load a piano onto a truck.

''His helper said David seemed to be doing fine as they loaded a piano on his truck using a ramp ,''

McMurtrey said his wife, Betty. ''As they finished loading the piano, he just slumped to the ground.''

McMurtrey, a native of Tulsa, Okla., retired two years ago from the staff of the First Baptist Church, Leesburg, where he had served for more than 17 years.

His 41 years in the ministry included working with four churches in Oklahoma, one in Arkansas and three in Missouri before he went to Spencer Memorial Baptist Church, Tampa. From there, he was called to the staff at First Baptist, Leesburg, in September 1976.

McMurtrey also served two years in the U.S. Army, where he was a chaplain assistant and led the music ministry.

For the past two years, he and his wife have been members of First Baptist Church, Fruitland Park, where a longtime friend, Gary Washburn, is pastor.

''Dave was a wonderful co-laborer. He was always fun and loved people of all ages,'' said Washburn.

He had formed a gospel quartet at his church two weeks ago, Washburn said.

During his years at First Baptist of Leesburg, the church grew from 1,000 members to more than 5,000. The music ministry under the leadership of McMurtrey grew from 100 members to more than 500 in multiple choirs, instrumental groups, and several specialized singing groups.

Ken Williams, the church's minister of education and administration, worked closely with McMurtrey.

''Dave was a loving person who cared for people,'' Williams said. ''His ministry at First Baptist influenced the lives of hundreds and hundreds of people of all ages.''

When he retired in January 1994, McMurtrey said he wanted to ''slip back from the television lights and the glares of hundreds and do those things which I have wanted to do for sometime - work with the instruments which have had such an impact on my life.''

After retirement, McMurtrey began his own piano-tuning business, Custom Piano Tuning, and gave piano lessons.

He is survived by his wife, Betty, of Leesburg; three daughters, Martha Girarier, Chesapeake, Va.; Rebecca Collins, Leesburg, and Cynthia Finch, Ocala; four sisters, Sue Ponds, Norma Biles, Wanda Mann, and Patsy Hunt, all of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and eight grandchildren.

Funeral services for McMurtrey will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church, Fruitland Park. Interment will be at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell. Viewing is set for 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Beyers Funeral Home, Leesburg.